Supervisor Steve Gallardo wants credit for sitting down with activist Lezley Shepherd.
In his own words during the March 25, 2026 Maricopa County Board of Supervisors meeting:
“Miss Shepard asked for a meeting. I said, ‘Let’s meet.’ And I think we sat down for a good almost an hour and a half… We had a very great discussion. I am all ears when it comes to public discussion.”
Sounds reasonable, right?
Watch the full clip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZF_ODayoN9U
But here’s what Gallardo left out.
The video contrasts his polished story with raw footage from earlier meetings (June 12, 2024 and June 25, 2025). Viewers see:
- Speakers interrupted during their allotted public comment time
- Requests to reserve time denied
- Tense exchanges, accusations of grandstanding, and strict enforcement of decorum — sometimes targeting the very citizens Gallardo claims to be “all ears” for
Gallardo praises the “professional manner” of meetings while the record shows a pattern of pushback against persistent public scrutiny.
This is the same board that says they welcome engagement — until that engagement gets uncomfortable.
We’re not buying the selective narrative. The public record tells the real story.
Times have changed. Citizens are showing up, speaking truth, and documenting every word. No more hiding behind closed-door meetings and one-sided stories.
Share this video. Compare the clips yourself. Demand real transparency and respect for public comment — not just photo-op “meetings” followed by business as usual.
It is Our Duty.
Stay vigilant. #MaricopaCounty #PublicComment #SteveGallardo #HoldThemAccountable #TimesHaveChanged
